Immmediately

I wonder sometimes if I don't comprehend the immediacy of the atonement. I realize the power of the atonement is available to me today, but I'm not sure I fully comprehend the power it can have right now, here today.

I go to recovery meetings and I hear great men speak about their recovery. They testify with the spirit of the power that has changed their lives. I believe them because the Holy Ghost testifies to my heart of the conversion these men have gone through. The thoughts in my mind go something like this:

"Boy, that's great. This guy has truly be converted, he has maintained sobriety from pornography for such a long period of time, what an great example to me. Maybe if I continue to work hard, and go many days without viewing, and do all the right things...maybe just maybe I can experience that conversion too"

These thoughts are correct as far as they go. But where I make a mistake is always thinking about conversion or redemption as a future event. Something if I strive and work for could happen to me in months or years. The striving and working and turning myself over to the Lord is important, and this truly does take time. But the redemptive power of the atonement is not just available to change me in 6 months, it is available immediately.

Alma 34:31

Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, IMMEDIATELY shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

Did you hear that? The redemption can take place in your life and my life immediately. Right now. Today. There is no greater message for someone like me, someone who needs to change. I can have that change, that redemption, that salvation immediately if I will repent with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

It may take years to heal completely from addiction for me. But the atonement and tender mercies of my Savior I can have in my life right now. That is truly a great blessing.